Massive Hercules transport plane lands on a sandy BEACH in heavy rain and strong winds as part of RAF training exercise
- Pictures capture the blustery moment a transport plane touched down on a sandy beach in South Wales
- The RAF C-130J Hercules has been transporting troops since as long ago as the Falklands War in 1982
- Photographer Ally McMurdo from Swansea used to work as an engineer on the aircraft while in the RAF
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These are the photos that show the earthshaking moment an RAF transport plane performed a beach landing.
The C-130J Hercules battled heavy showers and a strong crosswind to make the unusual landing on the sand at Cefn Sidan Sands, near Pembrey, at around 6pm.
Welsh beaches are routinely used by the RAF, training flight crews for landing on unusual terrain.
Former RAF engineer Ally McMurdo, 37, took photos of the aircraft, which was flown by 24 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Ally, who served in the RAF between 1997 and 2006, said: ‘The crews conduct natural surface landings such as this to enable them to support British Operations across the globe.
‘The training allows them to prepare for not only delivering troops and equipment to austere theaters of conflict but also to deliver aid to unprepared strips during humanitarian relief operations.’
‘The crews also conduct this training at night with night vision goggles enabling them to operate around the clock. Yesterday was a great example of the professionalism of aircrew, with a strong cross wind and heavy showers to contend with.’
Ally, from Swansea, who now works as a high-speed train driver, spent his final tour working on the Hercules aircraft and got into photography two years ago.
The Hercules levels on its approach to Cefn Sidan Sands, its four propellers slowing enough that each of the six blades is easily distinguished
As the ground comes into view the Hercules banks to its right, fighting against the crosswinds that whip across the beach. A control tower gazes on, expecting a successful landing
Touchdown! The C-130J’s wheels briefly make contact with the ground kicking up a faint plume of dust as the pilot pushes the aircraft’s nose down
Terra firma at last: The Hercules’s six wheels finally all touch down the noise from the four engines blasting along with the sand storm borne from the propellers
Full frontal: The Hercules turns face onto the camera showing of all 132 feet of its wingspan, it’s lights carve neon lines across the wet sand
Gear up: The C-130J raises it’s nose as it begins to take off from it’s beach turned landing, strip eager to join the skies once again
Having opened up the throttle the C-130J clears the ground completely taking to the skies once more, with a crew better prepared for combat scenarios